Why Counting RGB sub-pixels isn’t the Best Way to Measure Resolution

The advent of sub-pixel rendering technologies is stirring up controversy as to the meaning of resolution in a display. Traditionally, pixel resolution has been counted as the number red, green and blue sub-pixels that are needed to create a full color pixel. But sub-pixel rendering techniques can share sub-pixels creating new ways to display pixels. This white paper discusses various sub-pixel rendering techniques and their implementations.

Table of Contents

Introduction

3

Pixels, Resolution and Addressability

3

Temporal and Spatial Sub-pixel Rendering

4

Spatial Sub-Pixel Rendering

5

Sub-Pixel Rendering Approaches

7

Delta Triad

8

PenTile OLED

8

RGBY

11

RGBW

12

RGB/W

12

RG/BW

12

RGB/WRG/BWR/GBW

13

RGBCW

13

Advantages of Sub-Pixel Rendering

13

Conclusion

15

Implementations of Sub-Pixel Rendering

15

Insight Media

Insight Media is a technology consultancy focused on emerging technology in the ProAV, cinema, broadcast, consumer electronics and display industries. The company authors white papers and articles on these topics, provide technology and market assessment services and hosts events to discuss key technology trends in these market segments.